Pope Benedict stresses the supreme value of fidelity and obedience for Cardinals

By Deacon Nick Donnelly, on November 24th, 2012

During his homily at the consistory creating new cardinals Pope Benedict XVI stressed the supreme value of fidelity and obedience to the identity of cardinals:

‘The new Cardinals, who represent different dioceses around the world, are henceforth associated by a special title with the Church of Rome, and in this way they reinforce the spiritual bonds that unite the whole Church, brought to life by Christ and gathered around the Successor of Peter. At the same time, today’s rite expresses the supreme value of fidelity. Indeed, the oath that you are about to take, venerable brothers, contains words filled with profound spiritual and ecclesial significance: “I promise and I swear, from now on and for as long as I live, to remain faithful to Christ and his Gospel, constantly obedient to the Holy Apostolic Roman Church”. And when you receive the red biretta, you will be reminded that it means “you must be ready to conduct yourselves with fortitude, even to the shedding of your blood, for the increase of the Christian faith, for the peace and well-being of the people of God”. Whereas the consignment of the ring is accompanied by the admonition: “Know that your love for the Church is strengthened by your love for the Prince of the Apostles”.

In these gestures and the words that accompany them, we see an indication of the identity that you assume today in the Church. From now on, you will be even more closely and intimately linked to the See of Peter: the titles and deaconries of the churches of Rome will remind you of the bond that joins you, as members by a very special title, to this Church of Rome, which presides in universal charity. Particularly through the work you do for the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia, you will be my valued co-workers, first and foremost in my apostolic ministry for the fullness of catholicity, as Pastor of the whole flock of Christ and prime guarantor of its doctrine, discipline and morals.

Protect the Pope comment: On this day when new cardinals have been created by the Holy Father let us join them in renewing our own promises of fidelity and obedience, in our different and various vocations in the Church:

May I be constantly obedient to the Holy Apostolic Roman Church.

May I be granted the grace to be ready to conduct myself with fortitude, even to the shedding of my blood, for the increase of the Christian faith, for the peace and well-being of the people of God”.

May the Holy Spirit lead me to know that my love for the Church is strengthened by my love for the Prince of the Apostles.

St John Fisher and Blessed John Henry Newman. Pray for our new cardinals

2 comments to Pope Benedict stresses the supreme value of fidelity and obedience for Cardinals

When the question of Henry’s divorce from Queen Catherine of Aragon arose, Fisher became the Queen’s chief supporter and most trusted counselor. In this capacity he appeared on the Queen’s behalf in the legates’ court, where he startled his hearers by the directness of his language and most of all by declaring that, like St John the Baptist, he was ready to die on behalf of the indissolubility of marriage.

This statement was reported to Henry VIII, who was so enraged by it that he himself composed a long Latin address to the legates in answer to the bishop’s speech. Fisher’s copy of this still exists, with his manuscript annotations in the margin which show how little he feared the royal anger.

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